How to write an How to write an Effective Cover Letter Effective Cover Letter

and Resumeand Resume

IntroductionIntroduction

No matter how good your resume is, you No matter how good your resume is, you need to have a well-written cover letter to need to have a well-written cover letter to stand alongside it. Your cover letter can stand alongside it. Your cover letter can explain why you are the perfect fit for the explain why you are the perfect fit for the position you're applying to, and a good one position you're applying to, and a good one makes it more likely your resume will be makes it more likely your resume will be seen. seen.

Your cover letter should complement, not Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate your resume. duplicate your resume.

A cover letter is often your earliest written A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression. a critical first impression.

What is a Cover LetterWhat is a Cover Letter

A A cover lettercover letter is a is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying another document such as a resume or curriculum vitae

The one paged letter is one way of introducing themselves to potential employers and explaining their suitability for the position

Cover Letter FormatCover Letter Format

Generally, a Generally, a cover lettercover letter divided into: divided into:• Header Header • IntroductionIntroduction• BodyBody• Closing Closing • Complimentary CloseComplimentary Close

HeaderHeaderContains the following important information:-Applicants Name and Address-The Date-Employers designation and Address-Salutation

HeaderHeaderLets identify them…Lets identify them…

Cover Letter Tips:Cover letters used the Business letter or Block style, like this sample letter here.

Now… Now…

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

Contains the following important information:-The Job for which you are applying for-The Job preference (permanent, full time, etc)-The Source and date of the Job information (newspaper, internet, etc)

Cover Letter Tips:You can also mention the name of the person who referred you for the position

BodyBodyContains the following important information:-Your qualifications briefly-Your interest, career objective and goals-Relevant experiences, specialized trainings

Then refer the reader to the next Part: the Closing

BodyBody

Cover Letter Tips:Remember to reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, and communication skills

ClosingClosingContains the following important information:-Your desire to be interviewed. -Your availability for interview-Your phone number, mobile phone number, email address

Write that you look forward to a call or letter

ClosingClosing

Cover Letter Tips:Don’t forget to thank the person who read your Cover Letter by saying “thank you!”

Complimentary closeComplimentary closeContains the following important information:-Your Full Name- Your Signature-Your enclosures such your resume, relevant certificates, and other docs. You may abbreviate ENC or ENCL to indicate that you have enclosures

Cover Letter Tips:Always don’t forget to Sign properly and neatly!

Complimentary closeComplimentary close

Always remember that the Always remember that the purpose of the Cover Letter is to purpose of the Cover Letter is to get you noticed.get you noticed.

Your Your Cover letterCover letter should immediately should immediately grab the attention of the reader grab the attention of the reader (hopefully your future Boss)(hopefully your future Boss) which which will lead then to an interview.will lead then to an interview.

There are 10 Tips on There are 10 Tips on how to write a cover how to write a cover letter (see next slideletter (see next slide))

Keep It Simple. An effective cover letter is Keep It Simple. An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point.short, sweet, and to the point.

In the Introduction, state your reason for In the Introduction, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for position you are applying for

The Body must give details regarding your The Body must give details regarding your work experience and skills. work experience and skills.

Personalize your cover letter. Address the Personalize your cover letter. Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiringhiring

Start your cover letter off with a bang. You Start your cover letter off with a bang. You must grab their attention from the very first must grab their attention from the very first line line

10 Easy and Effective Tips on 10 Easy and Effective Tips on how to Write a Cover Letterhow to Write a Cover Letter

bullet the important points. This makes your cover bullet the important points. This makes your cover letter more reader friendly and will also grab the letter more reader friendly and will also grab the reader's attention reader's attention

Take the initiative to contact the employer after Take the initiative to contact the employer after they receive your cover letter they receive your cover letter

Always always always check your cover letter for Always always always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes!spelling mistakes!

Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper printing your cover letter on high-grade paper

Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter, put it Once you have completed your cover letter, put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover you discover

10 Easy and Effective Tips on 10 Easy and Effective Tips on how to Write a Cover Letter how to Write a Cover Letter cont..cont..

Now that we have our Cover letter, we Now that we have our Cover letter, we will now proceed to make our will now proceed to make our Resume. Resume.

But let us identify first what is a But let us identify first what is a Resume.Resume.

What is a Resume?What is a Resume?is a document that contains a summary of relevant job experiences and education for a specific employment search.

How can it become effective?How can it become effective?

- It should grab the readers’ attention and highlight your greatest achievements

- Cover as many possible skill set the employer may specify

ElementsElements of an Effective Resume of an Effective Resume::

Contact InformationObjectiveExperiences / Employment HistoryEducation / TrainingPreferencesCertifications / Licenses SkillsReferences

Now lets take one resume as an Now lets take one resume as an

example.….example.….

References:

Skills:

“Available upon request”

Contact InformationContact InformationContains the following important Contains the following important information:information:-Full Legal Name-Full Legal Name-Permanent Address-Permanent Address-Phone number (s) with Area Code-Phone number (s) with Area Code-Mobile phone number-Mobile phone number-Email Address-Email Address

Contact InformationContact Information

Resume Tips:1) Avoid Nicknames!2) Use a permanent address and Phone number3) Use an email add that sounds professional4) Leave out your marital status, parents name, etc

Now let us identify the Elements….Now let us identify the Elements….

Career ObjectivesCareer ObjectivesObjective / Career ObjectiveObjective / Career Objective-This is your Job Search Mission -This is your Job Search Mission StatementStatement-It is Statement which expresses -It is Statement which expresses an employment Goal (s) and tells an employment Goal (s) and tells the Employer what your target job the Employer what your target job is and what you want to dois and what you want to do-Sometimes called “Career -Sometimes called “Career Objectives”Objectives”

Resume Tips:1) Should be Employer Focused2) Be Specific!3) Don't write a general statement to submit to ALL Employers. 4) Try to use active words

Employment History and Employment History and ExperiencesExperiences-Overview of work history that has -Overview of work history that has provided you with useful skillsprovided you with useful skills-List these in reverse chronological -List these in reverse chronological order- the most recent firstorder- the most recent first-Include the ff information:-Include the ff information:

Title of Position and Name of Title of Position and Name of OrganizationOrganization

-Location (State, City) and dates of -Location (State, City) and dates of employmentemployment

-Summary of responsibilities with -Summary of responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and emphasis on specific skills and achievementsachievements

Resume Tips:Include also Military Experience, internships/cooperatives and volunteer experiences

Employment HistoryEmployment History

Remember to put the dates first (from – to) then the Company Name, and the Position held. Put “present” in the To field if still currently working.

Remember….Remember….

And don’t forget to Highlight your achievements!

And….And….

EducationEducationEducationEducation--List all your relevant education, training, and certifications. -List degrees (s) awarded, school (s) attended, dates of attendance or year of graduation/completion and your program/major. -List in chronological order, starting with your most recent first.

Resume Tips:Don’t forget to include your trainings and seminars. Also include the dates and the number of days for each.

References:

Skills:

“Available upon request”

Preference (s)Preference (s)-You can indicate here your job preferences. It usually include

- Job type (Contract, Permanent)- Location- Willingness to travel- Target company size- Category- Job expectation (s)

Resume Tips:Please note that this is part is Optional.

PreferencesPreferences

Resume Tips:Make sure to have a copy of the Certificates and Licenses. Most employers may want to request for it during the interview!

Certification (s)Certification (s)-You can indicate here your relevant Certifications. -It must be in Reverse Chronological Order – the Most recent First-Make sure to include the Organization / Company that issued that Certificate (s)

Certification (s)Certification (s)

References:

Skills:

“Available upon request”

Skills (s)Skills (s)-A concise list of your qualifications, -A concise list of your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments that are skills, and accomplishments that are required for the position you are seekingrequired for the position you are seeking-List in the order of importance-List in the order of importance-Include computer skills/hardware skills, -Include computer skills/hardware skills, technical skills.technical skills.-Include skills in operating two way -Include skills in operating two way radios, CCTV’s, two way convex/concave radios, CCTV’s, two way convex/concave mirrors, etcmirrors, etc

Skill (s)Skill (s)

References:

Skills:

“Available upon request”

ReferencesReferences

Don’t include references in the Don’t include references in the resume. You can put a note at the resume. You can put a note at the bottom of the resume:bottom of the resume:

- “references available upon - “references available upon request” request”

ReferencesReferences

References:

Skills:

“Available upon request”